Medicines for pain and fever to become costlier from April 1, prices of over 1,000 essential drugs to rise

New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu): From April 1, 2026, people will face a slight increase in the prices of essential medicines. The government has allowed a price hike of around 0.6% for drugs listed under the National List of Essential Medicines (NLEM). This increase will apply to more than 1,000 essential medicines.

According to the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA), the decision has been taken based on the Wholesale Price Index (WPI). Data from the Ministry of Commerce and Industry shows that WPI recorded a rise of 0.64956% in 2025 compared to 2024, which has been used to adjust the prices.

It is important to note that price revisions for scheduled (controlled) medicines are permitted once a year. The essential medicines list includes commonly used drugs like Paracetamol, Azithromycin, anti-anemia medicines, as well as vitamin and mineral supplements. It also covers certain steroids and drugs used in moderate to severe cases of COVID-19.

Experts from the pharmaceutical industry say that this marginal hike comes at a time when raw material costs are rising sharply. Due to ongoing tensions in the Middle East, prices of Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs) and solvents have surged significantly.

Reports indicate that API prices have increased by around 30–35% in recent weeks. Glycerin prices have risen by 64%, while Paracetamol has become 25% costlier and Ciprofloxacin by nearly 30%. Additionally, packaging materials such as PVC and aluminum foil have seen price increases of up to 40%.

Industry representatives state that key inputs like glycerin, propylene glycol, and solvents used in liquid medicines have become more expensive. The cost of intermediates has also gone up considerably. As a result, the industry believes the current price hike may not be sufficient and plans to present its concerns before the NPPA.